Transceiver locking assembly

ABSTRACT

A transceiver locking assembly includes at least one processor device, a network device, in a network environment, in communication with the least one processor device, a transceiver in communication with the network device; a transceiver port, coupled to the network device, defining a first slot opening in at least one of a variety of positions of the transceiver port and configured for selectively receiving the transceiver, and a dynamically controlled locking mechanism coupled to the transceiver port. The dynamically controlled locking mechanism is selectively positioned into the first slot opening to lock the transceiver into the network device or selectively removed away from the first slot opening to unlock the transceiver from the network device.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates in general to computers, and moreparticularly to a transceiver locking assembly in a computingenvironment.

2. Description of the Related Art

In today's society, computer systems are commonplace. Computer systemsmay be found in the workplace, at home, or at school. Computer systemsmay include networking systems, data storage systems, or disk storagesystems, to process and store data. Small form-factor pluggable (SFP)transceivers are devices used as an interface between a network device(e.g., switch, router, host adapter) and a fiber optic or coppernetworking cable. They can be plugged into ports on network devices andeasily removed. This makes them subject to removal by mistake or byunauthorized persons, causing disruption to network traffic, data lossand downed links between devices. SFPs are difficult to track, verysmall and can be easily sold online and by other means. SFPs have becomevery expensive with some types costing thousands of dollars or more. Thetemptation for theft as well as the risk to data loss and networkoutages creates a need for a motorized locking mechanism to lock an SFPinto its port, making it impossible to remove without the owner'spermission.

SUMMARY OF THE DESCRIBED EMBODIMENTS

Various device and method embodiments, for a transceiver lockingassembly are included. The transceiver locking assembly includes atleast one processor device, a network device, in a network environment,in communication with the least one processor device, a transceiver incommunication with the network device; a transceiver port, coupled tothe network device, defining a first slot opening in at least one of avariety of positions of the transceiver port and configured forselectively receiving the transceiver, and a dynamically controlledlocking mechanism coupled to the transceiver port. The dynamicallycontrolled locking mechanism is selectively positioned into the firstslot opening to lock the transceiver into the network device orselectively removed away from the first slot opening to unlock thetransceiver from the network device.

In addition to the foregoing exemplary embodiment, other exemplarysystem and computer product embodiments are provided and supply relatedadvantages. The foregoing summary has been provided to introduce aselection of concepts in a simplified form that are further describedbelow in the Detailed Description. This Summary is not intended toidentify key features or essential features of the claimed subjectmatter, nor is it intended to be used as an aid in determining the scopeof the claimed subject matter. The claimed subject matter is not limitedto implementations that solve any or all disadvantages noted in thebackground.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In order that the advantages of the invention will be readilyunderstood, a more particular description of the invention brieflydescribed above will be rendered by reference to specific embodimentsthat are illustrated in the appended drawings. Understanding that thesedrawings depict embodiments of the invention and are not therefore to beconsidered to be limiting of its scope, the invention will be describedand explained with additional specificity and detail through the use ofthe accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a computing system environment inwhich aspects of the present invention may be realized;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating of a small form factorpluggable (SFP) transceiver in which aspects of the present inventionmay be realized;

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating an dynamically controlled lockingmechanism in small form factor transceiver locking assembly in whichaspects of the present invention may be realized;

FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating an dynamically controlled lockingmechanism in small form factor transceiver locking assembly in whichaspects of the present invention may be realized;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an small form factor optical transceivershown partially disassembled in which aspects of the present inventionmay be realized;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of an small form factor optical transceivershown assembled in which aspects of the present invention may berealized;

FIG. 7 is a flow chart illustrating an exemplary method for locking andunlocking the small form factor transceiver in which aspects of thepresent invention may be realized; and

FIG. 8 is a flow chart illustrating an additional exemplary method forlocking and unlocking a transceiver in which aspects of the presentinvention may be realized.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

As shall be described herein, a transceiver module may be used withcommunications equipment, and connects to the communications equipmentfor hi-directional transmission of data between an outsidecommunications interface and the communications equipment. A transceivermodule may be an electrical transceiver module used in anelectrical-electrical interface, or an optoelectrical transceiver moduleused in an optic-electrical interface.

In one embodiment, a small form-factor pluggable (SFP) module isinserted into an electrical connector receptacle and connects to a hostconnector connected to a circuit board. The SFP module typicallyincludes a transceiver for either copper or fiber optic based networksystems. Moreover, the small form-factor pluggable (SFP) transceiversmay be devices used as the interface between a network device switch,router, host adapter) and a fiber optic or copper networking cable. TheSFP transceivers may be plugged into ports on network devices and easilyremoved. This makes them subject to removal by mistake or byunauthorized persons, causing disruption to network traffic, data lossand downed links between devices. Given the relatively small sizes ofthe SET transceivers, the SFP transceivers can be easily sold online orby other means, and are difficult to track and monitor. The SFPtransceivers have become very expensive. The temptation for theft, aswell as the risk to data loss and network outages, builds a compellingease for the ability to lock an SFP into its port, making it impossibleto remove without the owner's permission.

Currently, SFP transceivers are inserted into a network device port, andstay in place by a simple friction mechanism, which keeps them insertedso as not to inadvertently be removed during cable removal. They are,however, not permanently locked, but only secured to the network deviceby using a small lever that releases the friction, making it possible toeasily remove. Having the ability to actually lock an SFP transceiverinto its port would prevent theft and any other inadvertent orunauthorized removal. Therefore, a need exists for a small form factortransceiver locking assembly to dynamically lock and unlock the SEPtransceivers to the network device/port (e.g., switch, router, hostadapter), a fiber optic or copper networking cable.

In one embodiment, a transceiver locking assembly is provided. Thetransceiver locking assembly includes at least one processor at leastone processor device, a network device, in a network environment, incommunication with the least one processor device, a transceiver (e.g.,a small form factor pluggable transceiver) in communication with thenetwork device; a transceiver port, coupled to the network device,defining a first slot opening in at least one of a variety of positionsof the transceiver port and configured for selectively receiving thetransceiver, and a dynamically controlled locking mechanism coupled tothe transceiver port. The dynamically controlled locking mechanism isselectively positioned into the first slot opening for one of lockingthe transceiver into the network device and selectively positioned fromthe first slot opening for unlocking the transceiver from the networkdevice upon a command being issued to the network device.

In one embodiment, a transceiver locking assembly is provided. Thetransceiver locking assembly includes at least one processor at leastone processor device, a network device, in a network environment, incommunication with the least one processor device, a transceiver (e.g.,a small form factor pluggable transceiver) in communication with thenetwork device, a transceiver port, coupled to the network device,defining a first slot opening in at least one of a variety of positionsof the transceiver port and configured for selectively receiving thetransceiver, and a dynamically controlled locking mechanism coupled tothe transceiver port. A second slot opening is defined in at least oneof a variety of positions on the transceiver. The dynamically controlledlocking mechanism is selectively positioned into the first slot openingand the second slot opening for one of locking the transceiver into thenetwork device and selectively positioned from the first slot openingand the second slot opening for unlocking the transceiver from thenetwork device upon a command being issued to the network device.

In one embodiment the present invention allows a tranceiver to be lockedin place (e.g., locked into a tranceiver cage/port) and unlocked using adynamically controlled locking mechanism by issuing a command from auser interface such as a command line interface (CLI) or graphical userinterface (GUI) and the like. In one embodiment, a tranceiver isprevented from being inserted into a tranceiver port/tranceiver cage,which prevents an unauthorized connection from being acheived, makingaccess to data impossible. Issued commands (e.g., a “lock_tranceiver”and an “unlock_tranceiver” command) for locking and unlocking thedynamically controlled locking mechanism may only be issued after a userhas authenticated with required authority to issue the commands. Aftereither the locking and/or unlocking command is successfully issued, amechanism within the hardware system, e.g., fiber channel switch,ethernet switch, host bus adapter card, network interface card, and thelike would may be used engage or disengage the lock. The dynamicallycontrolled locking mechanism may be a small solenoid, motor or othermechanical device that may be electrically/dynamically controlled. Inone embodiment, the dynamically controlled locking mechanism includes asmall pin, locking device, button, or tab or the like would enter intoand/or be released from a hole or recess (e.g., a slot opening) in thetrancever port/cage and/or transciever itself, thus creating the lock.The tranceiver may be locked to prevent its removal from anyone withoutthe proper authority. The dynamically controlled locking mechanism, by aremote command and thereby functioning as a remotely controlledswitching mechanism, may also be engaged in an unoccupied transceiverport/cage in order to prevent unauthorized insertion of a tranceiver,thus preventing unauthroized access to systems and data. In other words,the dynamically controlled locking mechanism is controlled by a remotecommand. The dynamically controlled locking mechanism also prevents aninsertion of the transceiver into the transceiver port by a remotecommand It should be noted that the mechanisms of the present inventiondoes not require or use a manual locking/latching device. In oneembodiment, the dynamically controlled locking mechanism may not beaccessed manually and may not not be visible when the tranceiver isinstalled. In one embodiement, a software code/algorithm is used toengage the lock and the software code/algorithm utilizes securityfeatures that allow only certain user who have the required authority tobe able to lock and unlock the tranceiver. Thus, the softwarecode/algorithm, using the dynamically controlled locking mechanism,prevents unauthorized removal of the tranceiver and may also preventunauthorized insertion of a tranceiver when the lock_tranceiver commandis issued to an unoccupied port/cage (e.g., the locking pin/tab of thedynamically controlled locking mechanism may protrude into the cage(which my have a first slot opening) thus preventing an SFP from beinginserted). The dynamically controlled locking mechanism prevents removaland/or even insertion of a tranceiver without the required authority,and the dynamically controlled locking mechanism is operated remotelyusing software code. In one embodiment, the dynamically controlledlocking mechansim applies only to small form factor pluggable (SFP)transcivers and other removable tranceivers, except for not small formfactor (SFF) transcivers.

In one embodiment, the present invention uses a command line interface(CLI) or graphical user interface (GUI) that requires a user to loginwith root authority and issue a command to remotely release thetranceiver. In one embodiemnt, the dynamically controlled lockingmechansim utilizes an automated dynamically controlled lockingmechansims (e.g., a solenoid or motor), which would release a pin or tabthat inserts into a recess or slot in the tranceiver (the slot openingmay be a second slot opening and the port or cage may have the firstslot opengin) and thus differes from a latching mechanism whichtemporarily keeps the SFP transceiver in place and/or can be removed byanyone who may manually remove the transceiver, such as using abail/handle that may be physically grasped and manually pulled toreleased a transceiver.

Turning now to FIG. 1, exemplary architecture 10 of a computing systemenvironment, in which aspects of the present invention may be realized,is depicted. The computer system 10 includes central processing unit(CPU) 12, which is connected to communication port 18 and memory device16. The communication port 18 is in communication with a communicationnetwork 20. The communication network 20 and storage network may beconfigured to be in communication with server (hosts) 24 and storagesystems, which may include storage devices 14. The storage systems mayinclude hard disk drive (HDD) devices, solid-state devices (SSD) etc.,which may be configured in a redundant array of independent disks(RAID). The operations as described below may be executed on storagedevice(s) 14, located in system 10 or elsewhere and may have multiplememory devices 16 working independently and/or in conjunction with otherCPU devices 12. Memory device 16 may include such memory as electricallyerasable programmable read only memory (EEPROM) or a host of relateddevices. Memory device 16 and storage devices 14 are connected to CPU 12via a signal-bearing medium. In addition, CPU 12 is connected throughcommunication port 18 to a communication network 20, having an attachedplurality of additional computer host systems 24. In addition, memorydevice 16 and the CPU 12 may be embedded and included in each componentof the computing system 10. Each storage system may also includeseparate and/or distinct memory devices 16 and CPU 12 that work inconjunction or as a separate memory device 16 and/or CPU 12. It shouldbe noted that the above described computing system is illustrated, byway of example only, as one type of environment the present inventionmay be used in and also using at least one or more of the centralprocessing units (CPU) 12

FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating of a small form factorpluggable (SFP) transceiver 200 in which aspects of the presentinvention may be realized. With reference to FIG. 2, a small form-factorpluggable (SFP) transceiver module 210 is a compact, SFP transceiver 210used for both telecommunication and data communications applications.The SFP transceiver module 210 interfaces a network device mother board(see FIG. 4 404) (e.g., for a switch, router, media converter or similardevice) to a fiber optic or copper networking cable. SFP transceivermodules 210 are designed to support SONET, Gigabit Ethernet, FibreChannel, and other communications standards. The SFP transceiver 210allows greater port density (e.g., a greater number of transceivers percm along the edge of a mother board). SFP transceiver modules 210 areavailable with a variety of different transmitter and receiver types,allowing users to select the appropriate transceiver 210 for each linkto provide the optical transmission characteristics required over theavailable optical fiber type (e.g., multi-mode fiber or single-modefiber). Optical SFP transceiver modules are available in severaldifferent categories. SFP transceivers modules 210 are also availablewith a copper cable interface, allowing a host device designed primarilyfor optical fiber communications to also communicate over unshieldedtwisted pair networking cable. The SFP transceivers modules 210 havecapabilities for a variety data rates. A portable SFP transceivermodules 210 can be successively inserted to quickly and easily determinetheir respective vendors or vendor-specific specifications until thecorrect vendor's SFP transceiver module or otherwise compatible SFPtransceiver module 210 is located (e.g., from among many SFP transceivermodules carried by the user in the field) for use as a replacement. TheSFP transceiver module 210 may have one or more slot openings (notshown) defined in one or more positions on the SFP transceiver module210 for receiving a dynamically controlled locking mechanism. Forexample, a slot opening may be located on a top, bottom, side, or backlocation of the SFP transceiver module 210.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a dynamically controlled lockingmechanism in small form factor transceiver locking assembly in an SFPtransceiver cage 310 in which aspects of the present invention may berealized. It should be noted that the term SFP transceiver cage is usedand described herein, but the term network port may also be used andinterchanged with the SFP transceiver cage 310. Thus, for simplicity theterm SFP transceiver cage 310 is used but may be interchanged/replacedwith a network port for describing the present invention. For example,in one embodiment, the SFP transceiver cage 310 is located inside thenetwork port. The SFP transceiver cage 310 comprises an upper shell 322and a lower shell 324 that are mated to define a module retentionchamber 326. The module retention chamber 326 is accessible through anopen front end 328. Lower shell 324 includes a locking mechanism 306located in one of multiple location types, such as on the base portion332. A slot opening and/or groove 302 will be made on a SFP transceivercage/port 310 (e.g., a slot opening may be made on the network port orthe SFP transceiver cage and/or on both the network port and the SFPtransceiver cage), and a motor driven button, pin, shaft, or other typeof locking device 304 will be added on a SFP transceiver slot. Asillustrated in FIG. 4, the SFP transceiver cages/network port 310 (FIG.3 310 and illustrated in FIG. 4 as 310 a-n from FIG. 3) may be coupledto and/or soldered to a circuit board 404 (see FIG. 4 404) of anetworking device (not shown).

In one embodiment, the SFP transceiver (see FIG. 2 200 and/or FIG. 5 500and herein referenced only for FIG. 2 200 for simplicity) may bedynamically locked into the SFP transceiver cage 310 of the network portin which the SFP transceiver (see FIG. 2 200 and/or FIG. 5 500) isplugged into, making it impossible for the SFP transceiver (FIG. 2 200)to be removed until it is unlocked by dynamically releasing the lockingmechanism. The SFP transceiver cage 310 of the network device (notshown), which accepts the SFP transceiver (FIG. 2 200), would have adynamically controlled mechanism (e.g. a solenoid) 304 that mayengage/lock the SFP transceiver (FIG. 2 200) using the locking mechanism306. The small form factor transceiver locking assembly 306 would engagethe SFP transceiver (FIG. 2 200) via a specially designed slot, tab, orother opening or groove 302 thereby making it impossible to remove theSFP transceiver while the SFP transceiver (FIG. 2 200) is inserted intothe port without a root user (or a user having properauthority/credentials) of the network device may issue a command from acommand line interface (CLI) or graphical user interface (GUI) whichwould release the SFP transceiver thereby making it possible to removeit from the network device. Each port on a switch may be marked aslocked/unlocked. The status of the switch may set by the switchadministrator for indicating whether the SFP transceiver is lockedand/or unlocked. After the SFP transceiver (FIG. 2 200) is plugged intothe slot (e.g. the SFP transceiver cage 310 or port), an administratormay change the status on the network port to “locked.” At that point,the locking button 304 will be raised up (e.g., raised in asubstantially perpendicular manner to the base of the port) up into aslot of the SFP transceiver (FIG. 2 200) to stop the SFP transceiver(FIG. 2 200) from being removed. It should also be noted that thelocking button 304 may be inserted into the slot opening of the SFPtransceiver in one of a variety of manners depending on the location ofthe slot opening on the SFP transceiver. For example, if the slotopening is located on the rear, back portion of the SFP transceiver, thelocking button 304 may be inserted into the slot opening of the SFPtransceiver in a substantially horizontal position and/or one of avariety of angled positions (e.g., horizontal to the base of the networkport). Alternately, if the port is set to unlocked, the button, pin,and/or shaft of the locking mechanisms 304 may be lowered down, so thatSFP transceiver (FIG. 2 200) may be removed/pulled out freely from theport/cage of the network device. It should also be noted that thelocking button 304 may be removed from the slot opening of the SFPtransceiver in one of a variety of manners depending on the location ofthe slot opening on the SFP transceiver. For example, if the slotopening is located on the rear, back portion of the SFP transceiver, thelocking button 304 may be removed from the slot opening of the SFPtransceiver in a substantially horizontal position and/or one of avariety of angled positions (e.g., horizontal to the base of the networkport).

Only an administrator and/or a user with appropriate permissions thathave been granted may be able to control the button 304 to releaseand/or lock the SFP transceiver (FIG. 2 200) from the SFP transceivercage 310 in the network port of the network device (not shown), whichaccepts the SFP transceiver (FIG. 2 200). In one embodiment, to removethe SEP transceivers (FIG. 2 200) from the SFP transceiver cage 310(e.g., an opening of a receptacle of the network device), the lockingmechanism 306 must be disengaged by receipt of the command issued byadministrator and/or by a user with appropriate permissions granted maybe able to control the locking mechanism.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a small form factor pluggable (SFP)optical transceiver 500 shown partially disassembled in which aspects ofthe present invention may be realized. In addition to the SFPtransceiver (FIG. 2 200), in SFP optical communications systems, anoptical fiber cable having a transmit optical fiber and an optical fibercable having a receive optical fiber are terminated on their ends with aduplex connector that plugs into a duplex receptacle of the SFP housing.The duplex receptacle is secured to the housing of the duplex SFPsystem. The housing of the duplex SFP system is typically configured tobe inserted into a cage. The housing includes an optical system, twoactive optical elements (i.e., a light source and a light detector), andelectrical circuitry. FIG. 5 illustrates a perspective view of the SFPoptical transceiver module 500 in its partially disassembled form thatmay also be locked and unlocked according to the embodiments describedherein. In accordance with the embodiment described herein, the SFPoptical transceiver module 500 includes a duplex receptacle 508, anupper housing portion 512A, a lower housing portion 512B, an opticalassembly 513, an electrical assembly 514, and a latching mechanism 515.The upper and lower housing portions 512A and 512B are pressed togetherto cause locking features on the upper and lower housing portions 512Aand 512B to interlock. In accordance with this embodiment, theelectrical assembly 514 comprises a PCB having a plug end 530 withelectrical contacts 531 located thereon. As will be described below withreference to FIG. 6, when the SFP optical transceiver module 500 isinserted into a cage receptacle/network port, the electrical contacts531 on the plug end 530 come into contact with electrical connections ofa communications management system.

The SFP optical transceiver module 500 includes both transmitter andreceiver components to form an optical transceiver module. In accordancewith an embodiment, the duplex receptacle 508 of the SFP opticaltransceiver module 500 has a C-shaped opening 510 formed therein that isdefined by upper and lower flexible retaining elements 518 and 520,respectively, for receiving and retaining the duplex fiberopticconnector within the SFP optical transceiver module 500. Thisconfiguration of the duplex receptacle 508 enables the module 500 tohave backwards compatibility with existing Versatile Link (VL)connectors that are commonly used in, for example, industrial fiberoptic links. Furthermore, the connector and the SFP optical transceiver500 support the small form factor transceiver locking assembly (FIG. 3306) as described herein. The duplex receptacle 508 has a slot 522formed in the upper flexible retaining element 518 and a cut-away 524formed in the lower flexible retaining element 520.

The housing 512A, 512B of the SFP optical transceiver module 500 housesan optical transmitter and an optical receiver, which are not shown inFIG. 5 for ease of illustration. As is known in the art, the opticaltransmitter generally comprises components for generating an opticalsignal (e.g., a light source, such as a light-emitting diode (LED) orlaser diode), and one or more optical elements for directing the lightinto the end of a transmit optical fiber. The optical receiver generallycomprises the components for receiving an optical signal (e.g., aphotodetector or photosensor, such as a photodiode), and one or moreoptical elements for directing light output from the end of a receiveoptical fiber onto the photodetector or photosensor. The opticalelements of the transmitter and receiver of the module 500 are part ofan optical assembly 513 that couples to the duplex receptacle 508.

As indicated above, the SFP optical transceiver module 500 has anelectrical assembly 514 (e.g., a PCB) that includes a plug end 530 forelectrically interfacing the electrical circuitry of the module 500 withelectrical circuitry of a communication management system (not shown),such as, for example, a network hub, a router, a switch, or any otherdata communication device or equipment. Thus, the SFP opticaltransceiver module 500 is “pluggable”. The term “pluggable”, as thatterm is used herein, may include the meaning that the module 500 can beplugged into and unplugged from a mating receptacle (not shown) of acommunications management system. The act of plugging the module 500into the mating receptacle of the communications management systemcauses the electrical interconnections to be made between electricalcircuitry of the module 500 and electrical circuitry of thecommunications management system. In other words, the electricalconnection between the plug end 530 and the electrical contacts (notshown) of the communications management system (not shown) is parallelto the direction of insertion of the module 500 into the communicationsmanagement system. The act of unplugging the module 500 from thecommunications management system causes the electrical interconnectionsbetween the electrical circuitry of the module 500 and electricalcircuitry of the communications management system to be removed. Thehousing 512A, 512B may comprise any suitable material. In oneembodiment, the housing 512 may be integrally formed from a plastic orsimilar material using, for example, injection molding or othermanufacturing techniques. In other embodiments, the housing 512 maycomprise separate components made of other materials, which are joinedtogether to form the optical transceiver module 500. The SFP transceivermodule 500 may have one or more slot openings (not shown) defined in oneor more positions on the SFP transceiver module 500 for receiving adynamically controlled locking mechanism. For example, a slot openingmay be located on a top, bottom, side, or back location of the SEPtransceiver module 500.

The latching mechanism (FIG. 3 306), which operates to lock and unlockthe optical transceiver module 500 to a SFP transceiver cage and/or anetwork port (FIG. 3 310) and will be described with reference to FIG.6. FIG. 6 illustrates a perspective view of the SFP optical transceiver500 shown in FIG. 5 as the module 500 is being inserted into a housing602 of a SFP transceiver cage and/or a network port (FIG. 3 310) of acommunications management system 600. The SFP transceiver cage (FIG. 3310) may be connected and/or coupled to a printed circuit board (PCB)(FIG. 4 404), which is also part of the communications management system600. The PCB (FIG. 4 404) includes electrical interconnections (notshown) that come into contact with the electrical contacts 531 locatedon a plug end of the electrical assembly (not shown), which is typicallya PCB (FIG. 5 504).

In one embodiment, the SFP optical transceiver 500 may be dynamicallylocked into the SFP transceiver cage (FIG. 3 310) of the network port inwhich the SFP optical transceiver 500 is plugged into, making itimpossible for the SFP optical transceiver 500 to be removed until it isunlocked by dynamically releasing the locking mechanism. The SFPtransceiver cage (FIG. 3 310) of the network device (not shown), whichaccepts the SFP optical transceiver 500, would have a dynamicallycontrolled mechanism (e.g. a solenoid) (FIG. 3 304) that may engage/lockthe SFP from within the locking mechanism 306. The small form factortransceiver locking assembly 306 would engage the SFP opticaltransceiver 500 via a specially designed slot, tab, and/or other openingor groove 302 thereby making it impossible to remove while inserted intothe port. A root user of the network device may issue a command from acommand line interface (CLI) or graphical user interface (GUI) whichwould release the SFP transceiver thereby making it possible to removeit from the network device. Each network port may include a switch thatmay be marked as locked/unlocked. The setting of the switch may bedynamically controlled using a software algorithm. In one embodiment,the switches are remotely controlled for setting and changing the statusof the locking mechanism. In one embodiment, one or more lockingmechanisms may be used for locking the SFP transceiver into the networkport. In such a case, more than one slot openings may be required foraccommodating each of the locking mechanisms. For example, there may bea locking mechanisms located on the top, rear and/or both sides of thenetwork port.

The status of the switch may be set (e.g., dynamically and/or remotelyset) by the switch administrator for indicating whether the SFPtransceiver is locked and/or unlocked. After the SFP optical transceiver500 is plugged into slot (e.g. the SFP transceiver cage See FIG. 3 310),an administrator could change the status to “locked,” and the lockbutton (see FIG. 3 304) may be raised up to prevent the SFP opticaltransceiver 500 from being removed. It should also be noted that thelocking button 304 may be inserted into the slot opening of the SFPtransceiver 500 in one of a variety of manners depending on the locationof the slot opening on the SFP transceiver 500. For example, if the slotopening is located on the rear, back portion of the SFP transceiver 500,the locking button (see FIG. 3 304) may be inserted into the slotopening of the SFP transceiver 500 in a substantially horizontalposition and/or one of a variety of angled positions (e.g., horizontalto the base of the network port see FIG. 3 310).

Alternately, in one embodiment, if the network port is set to“unlocked,” the button, pin, and/or shaft of the locking mechanism (FIG.3 304) may be lowered down, so that the SFP optical transceiver 500 canbe pulled out freely. It should also be noted that the locking button(see FIG. 3 304) may be removed from the slot opening of the SFPtransceiver 500 in one of a variety of manners depending on the locationof the slot opening on the SFP transceiver. For example, if the slotopening is located on the rear, back portion of the SFP transceiver 500,the locking button 304 may be removed from the slot opening of the SFPtransceiver 500 in a substantially horizontal position and/or one of avariety of angled positions (e.g., horizontal to the base of the networkport see FIG. 3 310).

Only an administrator and/or a user with appropriate permissions thathave been granted may be able to control the button, pin, and/or shaftof the locking mechanism to release and/or lock the SFP opticaltransceiver 500 from the SFP transceiver cage (FIG. 3 310) in thenetwork port of the network device (not shown), which accepts the SFPoptical transceiver 500. In one embodiment, to remove the SFP opticaltransceiver 500 from the SFP transceiver cage (FIG. 3 310) (e.g., anopening of a receptacle of the network device), the locking mechanism(FIG. 3 306) must be disengaged by receipt of the command issued byadministrator and/or user with appropriate permissions granted may beable to control the locking mechanism.

FIG. 7 is a flow chart illustrating an exemplary method 700 for lockingand unlocking the small form factor transceiver in which aspects of thepresent invention may be realized. The method begins (step 702) by anadministrator and/or root user of the network device logging into anetwork environment (step 704). The method 700 checks whether the port(e.g., network and/or transceiver port) is set to either a “lock” or“unlock” setting, and if it is locked the method 700 will unlock thetransceiver port (step 705). A small form factor pluggable transceiver(SFP) (and/or small form factor optical transceiver) is plugged into asmall form factor transceiver cage/port of the network device (step706). The administrator and/or root user of the network device sets(e.g., remotely and/or dynamically) the network port status to a “lock”indication (step 708) and issues a command for a dynamically controlledlocking mechanism (e.g., solenoid, button, pin, lock, bar, or other typeof device used for locking) to be selectively positioned, for lockingthe transceiver into a slot opening in the transceiver and locking theSFP transceiver into the network device (e.g. the dynamically controlledlocking mechanism raised upward and away from the transceiver cage/portbase into a slot opening/groove opening of the small form factortransceiver cage/port for inserting a locking pin device/button into theslot opening and locking in the transceiver) (step 710). The command maybe a command line interface (CLI) or a graphical user interface (GUI).In this “locked” state, the dynamically controlled locking mechanismprevents removal of the small form factor transceiver by remaining in alocked position until receipt of a release/unlock command. Theadministrator and/or a root user of the network device sets (e.g.,dynamically and/or remotely) the network port status to a “unlock”indication (step 712) and issues a command for the dynamicallycontrolled locking mechanism to be selectively positioned for unlockingthe locking mechanism from the transceiver (e.g. lowers a lockingbin/button device downward and away from the slot opening/groove openingof the SFP transceiver cage/port and/or the SFP transceiver devicetowards the small form factor transceiver cage base/circuit board) (step714). In other words, if the network port is set (e.g., dynamicallyand/or remotely) by the administrator and/or the root user of thenetwork device to indicate the small form factor transceiver is eitherlocked or unlocked, the method 700 may either selectively position thedynamically controlled locking mechanism into an unlocked position inthe small form factor transceiver, and/or selectively positioning thedynamically controlled locking mechanism into a locked position in thesmall form factor transceiver if the network device is set to indicatethe small form factor transceiver is locked. The command to unlock thelocking mechanisms may include removing (e.g., lowering and/orreversing) the dynamically controlled locking mechanism from a slotopening on the small form factor transceiver and/or the small formfactor transceiver cage/port towards the network port (e.g., towards thebottom, sides, and/or top of the network port depending on the locationof the slot opening on the transceiver and/or the network port). Thecommand to lock the locking mechanisms may include selectivelypositioning the dynamically controlled locking mechanism to a lockedposition in the small form factor transceiver by raising the dynamicallycontrolled locking mechanism from the bottom of the network port into aslot opening on the small form factor transceiver and/or the small formfactor transceiver cage/port. The command may be a command lineinterface (CLI) or a graphical user interface (GUI). The method 700 ends(step 716).

FIG. 8 is a flow chart illustrating an additional exemplary method 800for locking and/or unlocking a transceiver in which aspects of thepresent invention may be realized. The method 800 begins (step 802).Upon a command being issued to a network device, the dynamicallycontrolled locking mechanism is either selectively positioned into afirst slot opening to lock the transceiver into the network device orselectively removed away from the first slot opening to unlock thetransceiver from the network device (step 804). The method 800 ends(step 806).

As will be appreciated by one skilled in the art, aspects of the presentinvention may be embodied as a system, method or computer programproduct. Accordingly, aspects of the present invention may take the formof an entirely hardware embodiment, an entirely software embodiment(including firmware, resident software, micro-code, etc.) or anembodiment combining software and hardware aspects that may allgenerally be referred to herein as a “circuit,” “module” or “system.”Furthermore, aspects of the present invention may take the form of acomputer program product embodied in one or more computer readablemedium(s) having computer readable program code embodied thereon.

Any combination of one or more computer readable medium(s) may beutilized. The computer readable medium may be a computer readable signalmedium or a computer readable storage medium. A computer readablestorage medium may be, for example, but not limited to, an electronic,magnetic, optical, electromagnetic, infrared, or semiconductor system,apparatus, or device, or any suitable combination of the foregoing. Morespecific examples (a non-exhaustive list) of the computer readablestorage medium would include the following: an electrical connectionhaving one or more wires, a portable computer diskette, a hard disk, arandom access memory (RAM), a read-only memory (ROM), an erasableprogrammable read-only memory (EPROM or Flash memory), an optical fiber,a portable compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM), an optical storagedevice, a magnetic storage device, or any suitable combination of theforegoing. In the context of this document, a computer readable storagemedium may be any tangible medium that may contain, or store a programfor use by or in connection with an instruction execution system,apparatus, or device.

Program code embodied on a computer readable medium may be transmittedusing any appropriate medium, including but not limited to wireless,wired, optical fiber cable, RF, etc., or any suitable combination of theforegoing. Computer program code for carrying out operations for aspectsof the present invention may be written in any combination of one ormore programming languages, including an object oriented programminglanguage such as Java, Smalltalk, C++ or the like and conventionalprocedural programming languages, such as the “C” programming languageor similar programming languages. The program code may execute entirelyon the user's computer, partly on the user's computer, as a stand-alonesoftware package, partly on the user's computer and partly on a remotecomputer or entirely on the remote computer or server. In the latterscenario, the remote computer may be connected to the user's computerthrough any type of network, including a local area network (LAN) or awide area network (WAN), or the connection may be made to an externalcomputer (for example, through the Internet using an Internet ServiceProvider).

Aspects of the present invention have been described above withreference to flowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams of methods,apparatus (systems) and computer program products according toembodiments of the invention. It will be understood that each block ofthe flowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams, and combinations ofblocks in the flowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams, may beimplemented by computer program instructions. These computer programinstructions may be provided to a processor of a general purposecomputer, special purpose computer, or other programmable dataprocessing apparatus to produce a machine, such that the instructions,which execute via the processor of the computer or other programmabledata processing apparatus, create means for implementing thefunctions/acts specified in the flowchart and/or block diagram block orblocks.

These computer program instructions may also be stored in a computerreadable medium that may direct a computer, other programmable dataprocessing apparatus, or other devices to function in a particularmanner, such that the instructions stored in the computer readablemedium produce an article of manufacture including instructions whichimplement the function/act specified in the flowchart and/or blockdiagram block or blocks. The computer program instructions may also beloaded onto a computer, other programmable data processing apparatus, orother devices to cause a series of operational steps to be performed onthe computer, other programmable apparatus or other devices to produce acomputer implemented process such that the instructions which execute onthe computer or other programmable apparatus provide processes forimplementing the functions/acts specified in the flowchart and/or blockdiagram block or blocks.

The flowchart and block diagrams in the above figures illustrate thearchitecture, functionality, and operation of possible implementationsof systems, methods and computer program products according to variousembodiments of the present invention. In this regard, each block in theflowchart or block diagrams may represent a module, segment, or portionof code, which comprises one or more executable instructions forimplementing the specified logical function(s). It should also be notedthat, in some alternative implementations, the functions noted in theblock may occur out of the order noted in the figures. For example, twoblocks shown in succession may, in fact, be executed substantiallyconcurrently, or the blocks may sometimes be executed in the reverseorder, depending upon the functionality involved. It will also be notedthat each block of the block diagrams and/or flowchart illustration, andcombinations of blocks in the block diagrams and/or flowchartillustration, may be implemented by special purpose hardware-basedsystems that perform the specified functions or acts, or combinations ofspecial purpose hardware and computer instructions.

1. A transceiver locking assembly, comprising: at least one processordevice; a network device, in a network environment, in communicationwith the least one processor device; a transceiver in communication withthe network device; a transceiver port, coupled to the network device,defining a first slot opening in at least one of a plurality ofpositions of the transceiver port and configured for selectivelyreceiving the transceiver; and a dynamically controlled lockingmechanism, controlled by the at least one processor device, and coupledto the transceiver port: wherein, upon a command being issued to thenetwork device, the dynamically controlled locking mechanism is one ofselectively positioned into the first slot opening to lock thetransceiver into the network device and selectively removed away fromthe first slot opening to unlock the transceiver from the networkdevice.
 2. The transceiver locking assembly of claim 1, wherein thedynamically controlled locking mechanism performs one of: preventingremoval the transceiver until receipt of the command, and preventing aninsertion of the transceiver into the transceiver port by a remotecommand.
 3. The transceiver locking assembly of claim 1, wherein thedynamically controlled locking mechanism is a solenoid.
 4. Thetransceiver locking assembly of claim 1, wherein the at least oneprocessor device issues the command to the network device from one of acommand line interface (CLI) and a graphical user interface (GUI). 5.The transceiver locking assembly of claim 1, wherein the at least oneprocessor device is configured for issuing the command from one of anadministrator and a root user of the network device upon logging intothe network environment.
 6. The transceiver locking assembly of claim 5,wherein the transceiver port is set by one of the administrator and theroot user of the network device to indicate the transceiver is one oflocked and unlocked.
 7. The transceiver locking assembly of claim 6,wherein, if the one of the administrator and the root user of thenetwork device sets the transceiver port to indicate the transceiver isunlocked, the dynamically controlled locking mechanism is removed fromwithin the first slot opening and set in an unlocked position.
 8. Thetransceiver locking assembly of claim 6, wherein, if the one of theadministrator and the root user of the network device sets the networkport to indicate the transceiver is locked, the dynamically controlledlocking mechanism is inserted into the first slot opening and set in alocked position.
 9. The transceiver locking assembly of claim 5, whereinthe transceiver defines a second slot opening in at least one of aplurality of positions on the transceiver, wherein, upon the commandbeing issued to the network device, the dynamically controlled lockingmechanism is one of selectively positioned into both the first slotopening and the second slot opening to lock the transceiver into thenetwork device and selectively removed away from the first slot openingand the second slot opening to unlock the transceiver from the networkdevice.
 10. The transceiver locking assembly of claim 9, wherein, if theone of the administrator and the root user of the network device setsthe transceiver port to indicate the transceiver is unlocked, thedynamically controlled locking mechanism is removed from within both thefirst slot opening and the second slot opening and set in an unlockedposition.
 11. The transceiver locking assembly of claim 9, wherein, ifthe one of the administrator and the root user of the network devicesets the network port to indicate the transceiver is locked, thedynamically controlled locking mechanism is inserted into both the firstslot opening and the second slot opening and set in a locked position.12-20. (canceled)
 21. A computer program product for locking atransceiver by a processor device, the computer program productcomprising a computer-readable storage medium having computer-readableprogram code portions stored therein, the computer-readable program codeportions comprising: a first executable portion that, upon a commandbeing issued to a network device, performs one of: selectivelypositioning a dynamically controlled locking mechanism into a first slotopening on a transceiver port to lock the transceiver into a networkdevice, and selectively removing a dynamically controlled lockingmechanism away from a first slot opening on the transceiver port tounlock the transceiver into a network device.
 22. The computer programproduct of claim 21, further including a second executable portion thatperforms one of: preventing removal of the transceiver until receipt ofthe command, and preventing an insertion of the transceiver into thetransceiver port by a remote command.
 23. The computer program productof claim 21, wherein the dynamically controlled locking mechanism is asolenoid.
 24. The computer program product of claim 21, furtherincluding a second executable portion that issues the command to thenetwork device from one of a command line interface (CLI) and agraphical user interface (GUI).
 25. The computer program product ofclaim 21, wherein a second slot opening on the transceiver is defined,and further including a second executable portion that: upon the commandbeing issued to the network device: selectively positions thedynamically controlled locking mechanism into the first slot opening onthe transceiver port and the second slot opening on the transceiver tolock the transceiver into a network device, and selectively removes thedynamically controlled locking mechanism away from the first slotopening on the transceiver port and the second slot opening on thetransceiver to unlock the transceiver into a network device.
 26. Thecomputer program product of claim 25, further including a thirdexecutable portion that issues the command from one of an administratorand a root user of the network device upon logging into the networkenvironment.
 27. The computer program product of claim 26, furtherincluding a fourth executable portion that sets the transceiver port toindicate the transceiver is one of locked and unlocked by one of theadministrator and the root user of the network device.
 28. The computerprogram product of claim 27, further including, if the one of theadministrator and the root user of the network device sets thetransceiver port to indicate the transceiver is unlocked, a fifthexecutable portion that selectively removes the dynamically controlledlocking mechanism away from the first slot opening on the transceiverport and the second slot opening on the transceiver and sets thedynamically controlled locking mechanism in an unlocked position. 29.The computer program product of claim 25, further including, if the oneof the administrator and the root user of the network device sets thenetwork port to indicate the transceiver is locked, a fourth executableportion that: inserts the dynamically controlled locking mechanism intothe first slot opening on the transceiver port and the second slotopening on the transceiver to lock the transceiver into a network deviceand setting the dynamically controlled locking mechanism in a lockedposition.